Caesarea Haifa Akko
(From Herod to the Crusaders and Bahais)
The Promised Land is full of unique attractions.
And the largest number of them is concentrated in the ancient city of Caesarea.
And so, Caesarea is an ancient city located on the Mediterranean coast of modern Israel. The city was named Caesarea by King Herod the Great in honor of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, who gave him the lands lost to the Jews. This ancient city was the capital of Israel for almost 600 years. The Harbor of Caesarea, which today is a historical reserve, has been preserved from the ancient city. The city reached the heights of its greatness during the era of the Roman Empire. Now it is an archaeological site.
The first settlement on this site arose in 370 BC. It was founded by Straton 1, the Phoenician king of Sidon.
There was a lighthouse and a village called "Strato's Tower". Greatness came to Caesarea in 22 BC, when King Herod the Great ruled Judea. His power was precarious and was based only on the strength of mercenaries and Roman legionnaires. Herod created an artificial bay using concrete, which was expensive at that time. But he did not count the expenses, since he needed a new capital. Within a few years, luxurious houses, baths, an amphitheater, a hippodrome, Herod's palace and Roman temples appeared here. After Herod's death, Caesarea became a Roman colony. In 1101, the city was captured by crusading knights. In 1187, the Arabs, led by Saladin, recaptured it again. For several years, the city was captured by more and more conquerors. And as a result: the city was destroyed to the ground. Here you can see the remains of buildings from different eras: Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Crusader buildings.
Until 1961, historians and archaeologists had not found any evidence that Pontius Pilate ruled Judea for 10 years.
Most scientists believed. That this is a fictional character.
But on the found stone, behind the amphitheater building, there was an inscription where the name “PILATUS” is clearly visible. Of all the ancient buildings in Caesarea, the amphitheater is the best preserved. It was used for theatrical performances, executions and gladiator fights. Now this amphitheater is actively used for concerts.
While getting to know the city, you will learn about the construction of a hippodrome,
construction of an aqueduct and much more interesting things.
Let's get acquainted with the flourishing port city of Haifa, which ranks third in size. In Haifa, perhaps, the true spirit of both a young and ancient country is especially felt. There are ancient districts, modern technology centers, and fragrant Middle Eastern markets.
The city has a special topographic structure. The lower city and port represent the business center. The middle part, Hadar, is the shopping area of Haifa. This is a city where it works on Saturdays
public transport, most cafes and restaurants are open, as well as cultural and entertainment centers.
One of the significant attractions of the city are the Bahai Gardens. This ensemble is part of the Baha'i Temple complex. The Baha'i religion is very young. It dates back a little over one and a half hundred years, but nevertheless, it is widespread throughout the world. Baha'is firmly believe in the advent of world peace, and the Baha'i gardens seem to embody the beauty and harmony that will reign after beneficial changes.
On the central terrace of the gardens there is a tomb in which the ashes of the founder of the Bahai religion rest. 9 terraces stretch from it to the tops of the mountain and 9 to the foot. This luxurious cascade is covered with white marble buildings, bronze sculptures of birds and flowers, and a lush collection of plants that are so selected that they are fragrant and pleasing to the eye at any time of the year. The Bahai Gardens are the eighth wonder of the world, officially recognized in 2001. The peculiarity of this miracle is that all this beauty was erected exclusively with donations from Baha'is. Every visitor can walk along the flowered alleys and relax near the fountains. The only requirement for tourists is closed clothing.
24 kilometers from Haifa, in the Western Galilee, is the city of Acre - one of the most charming corners of the country, with an amazing variety of ancient houses, minarets and bell towers. Not a single city of the Crusader era has survived to this day in such a condition as Acre. This is a very ancient city, mentioned back in 1500 BC. Over its long history, it has experienced both ups and downs. Each era has left its traces here. In the city you can see a combination of Jewish, Turkish and Arab cultures.
The old harbor of Acre received ships from all the ancient peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean, from the Phoenicians to the Egyptians.
The ancient city of Acre is mentioned in the Bible and is listed among
on the UNESCO world list as a significant historical and cultural site of World Heritage. The city has preserved ruins of the port, breakwater and lighthouse of that time. The city walls protected it for many centuries. In 1104, after the first crusade, the city